Suction Nozzle and Vacuum Cleaner Provided with Such a Suction Nozzle

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a suction nozzle ( 10 ) for a vacuum cleaner ( 1 ), comprising a suction head ( 12 ) having an elongated suction orifice that in a first position extends substantially transverse to a displacement direction (T) of the nozzle ( 10 ), support means ( 16 ) for supporting the nozzle ( 10 ) during its displacement, and a coupling body ( 15 ) for connecting the suction head ( 12 ) to the vacuum cleaner ( 1 ). The suction head ( 12 ) is rotatable around a first rotation axis (R 1 ) into a position in which the elongated suction orifice extends substantially parallel to a displacement direction (T) of the suction nozzle ( 10 ). Upon and through a rotation of the suction head ( 12 ) into this position, the support means ( 16 ) are displaced from a position within a rotation range occupied by the suction head ( 12 ) during said rotation, to a position located outside the rotation range of the suction head ( 12 ). The invention furthermore relates to a vacuum cleaner provided with such a suction nozzle ( 10 ).

The invention relates to a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, comprising a suction head provided with an elongated suction orifice, a coupling body for connecting the suction head to the vacuum cleaner, and support means for supporting the suction head, wherein the suction head is rotatably connected to the coupling body around a first rotation axis, allowing the suction head to be rotated between a first position in which the elongated suction orifice extends substantially transverse to a displacement direction of the nozzle and a second position in which the elongated suction orifice extends substantially parallel to said displacement direction, and wherein in said first position the support means are arranged behind a trailing edge of the suction head.

The invention further relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a suction nozzle.

A suction nozzle of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is known from EP 1 110 496. This known suction nozzle is versatile, thanks to its rotatability and its support means. The rotatability allows the width of the nozzle, seen in its displacement direction, to be reduced, so that it can be used for cleaning narrow spaces. The support means comprise a roller, which facilitates the displacement of the nozzle and enables the suction nozzle to be used on both hard and soft surfaces.

A disadvantage of this known suction nozzle is that, when the suction head is in its first position, the support means are arranged relatively far behind the trailing edge of the suction head, in particular out off a rotation range which is occupied by the suction head when rotating from its first to its second position. This arrangement of the support means is necessary in order not to block the suction head when it rotates into its second position. However, this remote position of the support means adversely effects the maneuverability of the suction nozzle.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a suction nozzle and a vacuum cleaner of the kinds mentioned in the opening paragraphs, wherein the disadvantage of the known suction nozzle is prevented, while the advantages thereof are maintained. More particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a suction nozzle, as versatile as the known suction nozzle, yet with improved maneuverability, at least in the first position.

In order to achieve this object a suction nozzle in accordance with the invention is characterized in that in the first position of the suction head the support means are arranged in a rotation range occupied by the suction head during rotation from its first to its second position, while the suction nozzle comprises means for causing the support means, upon and through rotation of the suction head from its first to its second position, to move out of the rotation range of the suction head.

In order to achieve this object a vacuum cleaner in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the suction nozzle used therein is a suction nozzle in accordance with the invention.

With a suction nozzle according to the invention the support means can, with the suction head extending in the first position, assume a position as close as possible to said suction head, thereby providing improved maneuverability of said suction head, whereas through rotation of the suction head to its second position, the support means are caused to assume a position outside the rotation range of the suction head, thereby enabling the suction head to rotate freely without being blocked by the support means. In this description the term ‘rotation range’ of the suction head denotes the space occupied by the suction head when rotating from its first into its second position.

Moreover, since the position change of the support means is effected through the rotation of the suction head, the user does not have to perform any special operation. In other words, upon rotation of the suction head, the support means will be automatically moved out of the rotation range of the suction head, which increases the ease of use of the suction nozzle.

A particular embodiment of a suction nozzle in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the support means are connected to the coupling body. In this embodiment, with the suction head in its first position, the support means are preferably arranged just behind a trailing edge of the suction head, seen in the displacement direction thereof, more preferably in line with a suction tube to which the coupling body may be coupled during use. In this way, forces exerted on the suction tube to move the suction nozzle along a surface to be cleaned will be directly transmitted to the surface via said support means. This relieves the suction head of said forces and enables direct steering of the support means, resulting in an even better maneuverability of and control over the suction nozzle.

In further elaboration the support means can be arranged to move in the rotation range of the suction head, to a position out of the rotation range. Alternatively or additionally, the support means can be arranged to move perpendicular to said rotation range, to a position above the suction head. Of course, any combination of said two movements is possible. In either case, conventional transmission means may be used, such as one or more gear wheels, a tooth rack, a cam and/or cam follower or the like, to convert the rotating movement of the suction head in a desired movement of the support means.

In a preferred embodiment, the first rotation axis is tilted with respect to a sole plate of the suction head. Thanks to such a tilted rotation axis, the coupling body and particularly the support means connected thereto, will describe a spiral-like movement, when rotated around said tilted axis, when the suction head is positioned with its sole plate on a flat surface. Thanks to such spiral-like movement, the support means can be positioned above the suction head, without the support means having to be displaced with respect to the coupling body, which allows for a relatively simple, robust design.

For the above described advantageous effect, it suffices if the first rotation axis is tilted in either a backward or a sideward direction, seen in the displacement direction of the nozzle. However, in a highly advantageous embodiment, the first rotation axis is tilted in both backward and sideward direction. By doing so, it is prevented that the coupling body, upon rotation from the first to the second position, becomes twisted with regard to the suction head. By having the first rotation axis tilt in a second direction, substantially perpendicular to the first direction and over a comparable tilt angle, the coupling body will be twisted back when completing its rotation from the first to the second position, so that in said second position, the coupling body and suction head will extend substantially ‘parallel’ to each other. In this context, ‘parallel’ means that a support surface of the support means extends substantially parallel to the sole plate of the suction head, in both positions. Such ‘parallel’ orientation is beneficial for the steering properties and maneuverability of the nozzle.

In further elaboration, the nozzle can be provided with locking means to secure the suction head in the first and second position. Such locking means may for instance comprise a hook or recess provided in the coupling body, which can engage a respective recess or hook in the suction head, thereby preventing relative movement there between. Known locking means are usually kept in their locking position by biasing means, and can be unlocked by exerting a force on the suction head that exceeds the biasing force. A disadvantage of such locking means is that they may become unlocked prematurely, for instance when during use the suction head is unintentionally hit against an object. Therefore, in a nozzle according to the invention, the locking means are preferably designed to be positively locked and unlocked by a user.

In a further advantageous embodiment, in its first position the suction head is rotatable with respect to the coupling body around a second axis which extends substantially parallel to the suction orifice. Thanks to such second rotation axis, the orientation of the suction head can be adjusted to irregularities in the surface to be cleaned, so that the elongated suction orifice can maintain a substantially parallel position thereto. Thus, good, constant suction performance can be achieved.

In a particular advantageous embodiment of a suction nozzle according to the invention the coupling body comprises a flexible coupling tube for connecting the suction orifice to the vacuum cleaner. Such a flexible tube adjusts for changes in length and orientation of the suction head relative to the coupling body when the suction head rotates from its first into its second position. Moreover, it is easy to manufacture and allows the suction head to be of small height. This in turn allows the tilt angles of the first rotation axis to be small, as the support means, when bringing the suction head to its second position, only need to be lifted over a small height.

Embodiments of a suction nozzle and of a vacuum cleaner in accordance with the invention will be described in detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows in perspective view a vacuum cleaner according to the invention equipped with a suction nozzle according to the invention, in a normal operating position;

FIGS. 2A,B show the suction head according to FIG. 1 in a first, ‘broad reach’ position and a second, ‘narrow reach’ position, respectively;

FIGS. 3A,B show the suction head of FIG. 2A in further detail in a first position in cross sectional side view and front view, respectively;

FIG. 3C shows the suction head of FIG. 2B in a second position in cross sectional side view;

FIGS. 4A,B show an alternative embodiment of a suction nozzle according to the invention in schematic top plan view and side view, respectively; and

FIGS. 5A,B show a further alternative embodiment of a suction nozzle according to the invention in schematic top plan view and side view, respectively.

FIG. 1 shows a vacuum cleaner 1 according to the invention provided with a suction nozzle 10 according to the invention which is connected to the vacuum cleaner 1 via a suction tube 2 and a flexible suction hose 3 respectively. Although FIG. 1 presents a specific type of vacuum cleaner 1, in particular a canister or cylinder type of vacuum cleaner, it is to be understood that a suction nozzle 10 according to the invention is applicable with any other type of vacuum cleaner, for instance an upright or hand held type.

As best seen in FIGS. 2A,B, the suction nozzle 10 comprises a suction head 12 and a coupling body 15. The suction head 12 comprises a substantially wedge-shaped housing 13 and a substantially rectangular sole plate 14, with a width W, a depth D and a longitudinal axis L. The sole plate 14 is provided with an elongated suction orifice 5 (see FIGS. 3B,C) which extends preferably over the entire width W of the plate 14 and ends in a central suction channel 17, which in turn ends in a tubular coupling end 21, extending from the upper surface of the housing 13. During use, the suction head 12 is moved along a surface to be cleaned in a direction T which hereinafter will be referred to as the displacement direction.

The coupling body 15 comprises a first coupling end 20 which is rotatably coupled to abovementioned coupling end 21 of the suction head 12, thereby allowing the suction head 12 to be rotated between a first, ‘broad reach’ position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, in which the elongated suction orifice 5 extends approximately transverse to the displacement direction T of the nozzle 10, and a second, ‘narrow reach’ position as illustrated in FIGS. 2B and 3C, in which said suction orifice 5 extends substantially parallel to the displacement direction T, having a width which corresponds to the depth D of the sole plate 14, rendering the nozzle 10 apt for use in narrow spaces.

The coupling body 15 furthermore comprises a second coupling end 22 for connection to a vacuum cleaner 1, and a tube 18 which extends between said first and second coupling ends 20, 22. Since the relative orientation of the first and second coupling ends 20, 22 may vary during use, as will be discussed in more detail below, the tube 18 preferably comprises a flexible tube. Other alternatives are available, such as a tube made of telescopic parts, however a flexible tube is most simple to manufacture and can help to reduce the overall height of the suction head 12, which is beneficial for reasons which will become clear below.

The coupling body 15 furthermore comprises support means 16, which in the illustrated embodiment are formed as a pair of wheels, but in other embodiments may comprise alternative rolling and/or sliding means. Thanks to these support means 16, the suction head 12 can be used both on soft, carpeted surfaces and smooth, hard surfaces. For the benefit of such smooth, hard surfaces, the suction head 12 is preferably provided with retractable brushes 23 (as shown in FIG. 3A, in retracted position), which can be tilted into an extended position by means of lever 24, to be operated by a user. As such retractable brushes and lever are known per se, these will not be explained further herein. In extended position, said brushes 23 and support means 16 prevent direct contact between the sole plate 14 and the hard surface and as such prevent possible damage. On soft surfaces, the wheels 16 enable the suction head 12 to be slightly tilted, so as to lift a leading portion of the suction head 12 (seen in displacement direction) slightly above said surface, thereby preventing a vacuum to be formed between the suction head 12 and said surface which would impede displacement thereof.

As seen in FIGS. 2A and 3A, the wheels 16 are preferably mounted just behind a trailing edge of the suction head 12, preferably in line with a suction tube 2 to which the nozzle 10 can be connected in use. With such arrangement, forces exerted on the suction tube 2 to move the nozzle 10 along, will be directly transmitted to the support means 16, resulting in good steering and maneuverability of the head 2.

The coupling body 15 according to the invention can furthermore be provided with a second rotation axis R2, which preferably coincides with the rotation axis of the support wheels 16. Such second rotation axis R2 allows the suction head 12 and part of the coupling piece 15 to be lifted, for instance to adjust for different carpet heights and/or negotiate sloped surfaces. Preferably a third rotation axis R3 is provided, extending substantially parallel to the second rotation axis R2, somewhat halfway between said second rotation axis R2 and the suction channel 17, as best seen in FIG. 3A. Thanks to such third rotation axis R3 the suction head 12, when brought in an elevated position through rotation around the second axis R2, may be tilted back to a position in which the sole plate 14 extends substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned, which is good for the suction and cleaning performance. This adjustment of the suction head's orientation is effected automatically, by the suction forces that during use act on the head 12. Moreover, the third axis R₃ enables the suction nozzle 10 and suction tube 2 to assume a ‘low reach’ position, in which the suction tube 2 extends substantially flat against the surface to be cleaned, thus allowing cleaning of spaces with limited height, such as underneath a couch, cupboard or the like.

As best seen in FIG. 3A and FIGS. 3B,C respectively, the first rotation axis R1 is tilted backward over an angle α and sideward over an angle β with respect to a normal N of the sole plate 14. Thanks to these angles α,β the suction head 12 and coupling body 15 will rotate relative to each other along a plane S that extends perpendicular to said first rotation axis R1 and includes angles α,β with the sole plate 14. Consequently, when rotating the suction head 12 with regard to the coupling body 15, the support means 16 will be lifted with regard to the sole plate 14, to a position in which they extend above said head 12. Hence the suction head can be rotated freely from its broad reach position to its narrow reach position with a single rotating operation.

It will be clear that the height over which the support means 16 are lifted during rotation, can be increased by increasing the distance (arm A, see FIGS. 3A,C) between the support means 16 and the first rotation axis R1. However, it has already been explained that for good maneuverability of the suction head 12, the support means 16 are preferably positioned closely behind the suction head, which corresponds to a relatively short arm A. It will be appreciated that in such case, the tilting angles α,β can be increased to have the support means lifted over sufficient height. At the same time or alternatively the required lifting height may be reduced by minimizing the height of the suction head 12, for instance by using said flexible tube 18 as mentioned before. Such flexible tube 18 moreover offers more freedom with regard to the design and position of the before described second and third rotation axes R2, R3, and is substantially leakage free, so that a high suction power is attainable.

From the above it will be clear that the optimum angle α,β may differ per situation. Hence, no specific values can be given for an optimum result. However, typically said angles α, β will vary between about 7° to 20°. Note that these values are given as example only and are not to be construed as limiting.

In principle, one tilt angle α or β would be sufficient to achieve the desired lifting effect of the support means 16. However, by having the first rotation axis R1 tilt backward and sideward, the additional advantage can be obtained that the coupling body 15, in the second, narrow reach position, can assume an untitled position, in which the rotation axis of the support means 16 and the second and third rotation axes R2, R3 all extend substantially parallel to the sole plate 4, which contributes to the maneuverability and steering properties of the nozzle 10 in narrow reach position.

As best seen in FIGS. 3B and 3C, locking means 19 are provided, to lock the suction head 12 in the first and second position. Said locking means comprise in the given embodiment a lever 19, which is rotatably connected to the suction head 12, and is provided with a hooked end 25, which can be hooked into a recessed portion of the first coupling end 20 of the coupling body 15, thereby blocking said parts against relative rotation. Of course, many other locking means are possible.

Furthermore, second locking means may be provided (not explicitly shown) to block or limit a downward rotation of the coupling body 15 around the third rotation axis R3. Such rotation causes the support means 16 to move downward, which counteracts the lifting effect of the rotation around the first rotation axis R1. Hence, by limiting rotation around the third rotation axis R3, the lifting capacity of the first rotation axis R1 can be limited, which in turn limits the required tilt angle of said axis R1.

FIGS. 4A, B show an alternative embodiment of a nozzle 10 according to the invention, wherein like numerals denote like parts. The embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 in that the support means 16 are slideably mounted so as to be moveable back and forth in the displacement direction T, upon rotation of the suction head 12. To that end, the coupling body 15′ is divided into two portions 26, 27, a first portion 26 being rotatably connected to the suction head 12, a second portion 27 carrying the support means 16 and a coupling end 22 for connection to suction tube 2. The portions 26, 27 may be telescopically interconnected or via some other sliding arrangement, such as guiding slots or the like. Biasing means 28 may be provided to bias the second portion 27 towards the first portion 26, so that the support means 16 are disposed just behind a trailing edge of the suction head 12. This trailing edge is provided with a curved cam 29 which upon rotation of the suction head 12 in the direction of arrow Q contacts a leading edge 27A of the second portion 27, thereby pushing this portion 27 with the support means backwards, against the biasing force, as illustrated in FIG. 4B. Thanks to this configuration, the suction head 12 is free to rotate around a first rotation axis R1, extending substantially perpendicular to the sole plate 14, between a broad and narrow reach position, whereby the support means 16 are moved from a first position, shown in continuous lines, to a second position, shown in dashed lines.

Although this embodiment may be of more complex design than the previous embodiment, due to the slideably connected coupling body portions 26, 27, it offers the advantage that the support means 16 can play an active supporting role both in the first and second position. Moreover, good maneuverability is maintained, thanks to the fact that the coupling end 22 and suction tube 2 displace together with the support means 16, and hence the relative orientation of said components remains in tact.

In a further alternative embodiment, the support means 16 may be displaceable in an upward direction, for instance perpendicular to the displacement direction T, as shown in FIGS. 5A,B. Again, like parts are denoted with like reference numerals. In this embodiment the support means 16 are rotatably mounted between the legs of a U-shaped bracket 30, which can move up and down in guide slots 32, which may be provided in internal walls of the coupling piece 15″. The suction head 12 is provided with a guiding element 29′ which slopes downward from the upper surface of the suction head 12 to a position near the floor and is arranged to scoop the support means 16 upon rotation of the suction head 12 in the direction of arrow Q. The support means 16 are than pushed upward, along the slope of the guiding element 29′, to a second position as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 5B, in which the support means 16 will rest on top of the suction head 12. When the suction head 12 is rotated back to the broad reach position, the wheel 16 can be move downward by biasing means, such as a spring (not shown), possibly helped by gravity.

The invention is not in any way limited to the exemplary embodiments presented in the description and drawing. Combinations (of parts) of embodiments shown and described in this description are explicitly understood to fall within the scope of the invention as well. Moreover, many variations are possible within the scope of the invention, as outlined by the claims.

For instance, the first rotation axis can be replaced by two separate axes, one extending more or less parallel to a rotation axis of the support wheels, allowing the coupling body to be rotated upward, thereby lifting the wheels off the floor, and a second axis extending substantially perpendicular to the sole plate, allowing the coupling body to subsequently be rotated over 90° towards a position in which the wheels extend above the suction head.

The rotating movement of the suction head can be converted in a linear displacement of the support means as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 through other, conventional transmission means, such as one or more gear wheels and/or a tooth rack.

The suction channel and first rotation axis, which in the illustrated embodiments extends centrally within the suction head, can be shifted sideward, to an off center position.

These and many comparable variations are understood to fall within the scope of the invention as outlined by the following claims. 

1. A suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, comprising: a suction head provided with an elongated suction orifice; a coupling body for connecting the suction head to the vacuum cleaner; and support means for supporting the suction head; wherein the suction head is rotatably connected to the coupling body around a first rotation axis, allowing the suction head to be rotated between a first position in which the elongated suction orifice extends substantially transverse to a displacement direction of the nozzle and a second position in which the elongated suction orifice extends substantially parallel to said displacement direction, and wherein in said first position the support means are arranged behind a trailing edge of the suction head, characterized in that in the first position of the suction head the support means are arranged in a rotation range occupied by the suction head during rotation from its first to its second position, while the suction nozzle comprises means for causing the support means, upon and through rotation of the suction head from its first to its second position, to move out of the rotation range of the suction head.
 2. A suction nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that the support means are connected to the coupling body.
 3. A suction nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that the support means are caused to be lifted above the suction head upon rotation of the suction head to its second position.
 4. A suction nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that the first rotation axis is tilted with respect to a normal of a sole plate of the suction head.
 5. A suction nozzle according to claim 4, characterized in that the first rotation axis is tilted backward over an angle, seen in the displacement direction of the nozzle.
 6. A suction nozzle according to claim 4, characterized in that the first rotation axis is tilted sideward over an angle, seen in the displacement direction the nozzle.
 7. A suction nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that locking means are provided to lock the suction head in its first and second positions, said locking means preferably being designed to be locked and unlocked by a user.
 8. A suction nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that in its first position the suction head is rotatable with respect to the coupling body around a second axis which extends substantially parallel to the suction orifice.
 9. A suction nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling body comprises a flexible coupling tube for connecting the suction orifice to the vacuum cleaner.
 10. A vacuum cleaner comprising a suction nozzle, characterized in that the suction nozzle is a suction nozzle as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims. 